If you’re a fan of the classic Italian dessert tiramisu, then you’re going to love these tiramisu cookies.
They combine the rich flavors of espresso and cocoa with the buttery, soft texture of a cookie, all topped with a luxurious mascarpone frosting.
These cookies are perfect for coffee lovers or anyone looking to indulge in a treat that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
Why You’ll Love Tiramisu Cookies
Tiramisu cookies offer a delightful fusion of the familiar and the novel.
Traditional tiramisu, with its layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone, and a dusting of cocoa powder, is a dessert that many hold dear.
However, transforming this classic into a cookie provides a portable, shareable, and equally delicious experience.
Each bite delivers a burst of flavor that echoes the essence of tiramisu: the deep, aromatic notes of espresso, the creamy richness of mascarpone, and the slight bitterness of cocoa.
What’s more, these cookies are relatively easy to make, requiring just a few basic ingredients and some simple steps.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, you’ll find that these tiramisu cookies come together effortlessly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these delicious tiramisu cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (270g)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 Tbsp instant espresso powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened (141g)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (107g)
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
For the Mascarpone Frosting:
- 8oz mascarpone cheese, cold
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream, cold (158ml)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (113g)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Cocoa powder for dusting
Step 1: Preparing the Cookies
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper.
This step ensures that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the sheets.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt.
This blend of ingredients forms the backbone of your cookie dough, ensuring that each cookie has the perfect structure and flavor.
The espresso powder is particularly important as it infuses the cookies with that distinctive tiramisu flavor.
Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar.
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the ingredients together until they become light and fluffy.
This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, leading to a softer, more tender cookie.
Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla to the mixture and continue to beat until everything is well combined.
The egg yolk adds extra richness to the cookies, making them even more decadent.
Slowly, incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
It’s important to do this gradually to ensure that the dough remains smooth and doesn’t become overmixed.
Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Now, scoop the dough into balls using a 3 Tbsp cookie scooper.
Place the dough balls on the lined baking sheet, ensuring there’s enough space between them as they will spread slightly during baking.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
You’ll know the cookies are done when they’re set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack.
This cooling time allows the cookies to firm up and makes them easier to handle.
Step 2: Making the Mascarpone Frosting
While your cookies are cooling, it’s time to prepare the luscious mascarpone frosting.
In a large bowl, beat together the cold mascarpone cheese, heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
This means the mixture should hold its shape when the beaters are lifted, indicating that it’s thick and stable enough to pipe onto the cookies.
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag.
You can simply cut off the tip of the piping bag if you prefer a rustic look, or use a piping tip like the Wilton 2A for a more polished finish.
Pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each cooled cookie. The mascarpone frosting is rich and creamy, perfectly complementing the coffee-flavored cookie base.
Finally, dust the tops of the cookies with cocoa powder. This finishing touch not only adds a classic tiramisu flavor but also makes the cookies look as elegant as they taste.
Tips for Perfect Tiramisu Cookies
To make sure your tiramisu cookies turn out perfectly, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Use high-quality instant espresso powder: The espresso flavor is key to achieving the authentic tiramisu taste. Using a good-quality instant espresso powder will ensure that your cookies have a rich, robust coffee flavor.
- Keep the mascarpone and cream cold: When making the frosting, it’s important to keep the mascarpone cheese and heavy cream cold. This helps the frosting whip up quickly and hold its shape better.
- Don’t overbake the cookies: It’s tempting to leave the cookies in the oven a bit longer, but doing so can make them too dry. The cookies should be set but still soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting: If the cookies are still warm, the frosting will melt and become runny. Patience is key to achieving that perfect swirl of mascarpone on top.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
These tiramisu cookies are delicious as they are, but you can also experiment with a few variations to suit your taste:
- Add chocolate chips to the cookie dough for an extra layer of richness.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the frosted cookies for a decadent touch.
- Swap the espresso powder for cocoa powder if you prefer a more chocolatey flavor.
When it comes to serving, these cookies are incredibly versatile. They make a lovely accompaniment to an afternoon cup of coffee or a sweet treat to end a dinner party. You can also package them up in a pretty box or tin to give as a homemade gift—perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Conclusion
Tiramisu cookies are a creative and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of a classic dessert in a new form.
With their tender, espresso-flavored base and rich mascarpone frosting, these cookies are sure to impress anyone who tries them.
Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, they’re a treat that will quickly become a favorite.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for something sweet, why not give these tiramisu cookies a try?
You’ll love how easy they are to make and how much they capture the essence of tiramisu in every bite.